Apparatus, system, and method for cell detection and measurement for NR unlicensed

Abstract

Embodiments are presented herein of apparatuses, systems, and methods for a user equipment device (UE) and/or cellular network to perform to perform cell detection and measurement, e.g., in new radio (NR) unlicensed (NR-U). The UE may determine that a threshold condition related to missed reference signal opportunities is reached. In response, the UE may modify reference signal monitoring and/or measurement.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An apparatus, comprising: 
       a processor configured to cause a user equipment device (UE) to:
 establish communication with a serving cell of a cellular network; 
 receive, from the serving cell, control information regarding monitoring reference signals of a first neighbor cell on a first frequency carrier operating in unlicensed spectrum; 
 monitor reference signals of the first neighbor cell on the first frequency carrier in the unlicensed spectrum according to the control information, wherein to perform said monitoring includes:
 determining that a first reference signal of the first neighbor cell on the first frequency carrier in the unlicensed spectrum is not received at a first opportunity; 
 starting a timer in response to the determination; and 
 determining that no further reference signal of the first neighbor cell on the first frequency carrier is received in the unlicensed spectrum prior to expiration of the timer; and 
 
 in response to the determination that no reference signal of the first neighbor cell on the first frequency carrier is received in the unlicensed spectrum prior to expiration of the timer:
 stop monitoring the reference signals of the first neighbor cell on the first frequency carrier in the unlicensed spectrum; and 
 start monitoring reference signals of a second neighbor cell on a second frequency carrier in the unlicensed spectrum. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second neighbor cell on the second frequency carrier is identified by the control information. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to cause the UE to monitor the second neighbor cell on the second frequency carrier. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to cause the UE to indicate to the network that no further reference signal of the first neighbor cell on the first frequency carrier is received prior to expiration of the timer. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the processor is further configured to cause the UE to receive, from the serving cell, second control information identifying the second neighbor cell on the second frequency carrier. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the UE operates in a connected mode while monitoring the reference signals of the first neighbor cell on the first frequency carrier and while monitoring the reference signals of the second neighbor cell on the second frequency carrier. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first reference signal of the first neighbor cell on the first frequency carrier is not transmitted at the first opportunity due to another transmission on the unlicensed spectrum. 
     
     
       8. A method, comprising:
 communicate with a serving cell of a cellular network; 
 receive, from the serving cell, control information regarding monitoring reference signals of a first neighbor cell on a first frequency carrier operating in unlicensed spectrum; 
 monitor reference signals of the first neighbor cell on the first frequency carrier in the unlicensed spectrum according to the control information, wherein to perform said monitoring includes:
 determining that a first reference signal of the first neighbor cell on the first frequency carrier in the unlicensed spectrum is not received at a first opportunity; 
 starting a timer in response to the determination; and 
 determining that no further reference signal of the first neighbor cell on the first frequency carrier is received in the unlicensed spectrum prior to expiration of the timer; and 
 
 in response to the determination that no reference signal of the first neighbor cell on the first frequency carrier is received in the unlicensed spectrum prior to expiration of the timer:
 stop monitoring the reference signals of the first neighbor cell on the first frequency carrier in the unlicensed spectrum; and 
 start monitoring reference signals of a second neighbor cell on a second frequency carrier in the unlicensed spectrum. 
 
 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the second neighbor cell on the second frequency carrier is identified by the control information. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 monitor the second neighbor cell on the second frequency carrier. 
 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 indicate to the network that no further reference signal of the first neighbor cell on the first frequency carrier is received prior to expiration of the timer. 
 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 receive, from the serving cell, second control information identifying the second neighbor cell on the second frequency carrier. 
 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 8 , wherein a user equipment operates in a connected mode while monitoring the reference signals of the first neighbor cell on the first frequency carrier and while monitoring the reference signals of the second neighbor cell on the second frequency carrier. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the first reference signal of the first neighbor cell on the first frequency carrier is not transmitted at the first opportunity due to another transmission on the unlicensed spectrum. 
     
     
       15. A user equipment device (UE), comprising:
 a radio; and 
 a processor operably coupled to the radio, wherein the radio and the processor are configured to:
 communicate with a serving cell of a cellular network; 
 receive, from the serving cell, control information regarding monitoring reference signals of a first neighbor cell on a first frequency carrier operating in unlicensed spectrum; 
 monitor reference signals of the first neighbor cell on the first frequency carrier in the unlicensed spectrum according to the control information, wherein to perform said monitoring includes:
 determining that a first reference signal of the first neighbor cell on the first frequency carrier in the unlicensed spectrum is not received at a first opportunity; 
 starting a timer in response to the determination; and 
 determining that no further reference signal of the first neighbor cell on the first frequency carrier is received in the unlicensed spectrum prior to expiration of the timer; and 
 
 in response to the determination that no reference signal of the first neighbor cell on the first frequency carrier is received in the unlicensed spectrum prior to expiration of the timer:
 stop monitoring the reference signals of the first neighbor cell on the first frequency carrier in the unlicensed spectrum; and 
 start monitoring reference signals of a second neighbor cell on a second frequency carrier in the unlicensed spectrum. 
 
 
 
     
     
       16. The UE of  claim 15 , wherein the second neighbor cell on the second frequency carrier is identified by the control information. 
     
     
       17. The UE of  claim 15 , wherein the processor is further configured to cause the UE to monitor the second neighbor cell on the second frequency carrier. 
     
     
       18. The UE of  claim 15 , wherein the processor is further configured to cause the UE to indicate to the network that no further reference signal of the first neighbor cell on the first frequency carrier is received prior to expiration of the timer. 
     
     
       19. The UE of  claim 18 , wherein the processor is further configured to cause the UE to receive, from the serving cell, second control information identifying the second neighbor cell on the second frequency carrier. 
     
     
       20. The UE of  claim 15 , wherein the UE operates in a connected mode while monitoring the reference signals of the first neighbor cell on the first frequency carrier and while monitoring the reference signals of the second neighbor cell on the second frequency carrier.